Haley Sousa

Tasche Bryant
Writing 104
December 6, 2016
Why does everybody love Patti Tib?
Market Basket is a popular grocery store located in South Attleboro,
Massachusetts. The family owned business is famous for its superb customer service
and spectacular prices. Market Basket employees flood the store and one of them
happens to be Patricia Tibman. Patricia comes into work at 5pm. As she struts across
the red and white checkered floor streaked with grey shoe marks, a parade of young
people wave passionately from their customer infused registers. As she makes her way
down the checkerboard tiles, she eagerly waves back yelling spontaneous Hello my
love! or Hey lovely! in their direction. When Patti finally approaches the bus teller
located in the center of the front end with a exceptionally large American Flag hanging
above it, she is greeted by even more youngsters. This time around, they are all
wearing blue smocks and most of them lovingly shout Hi Mama P! After individually
greeting each of the blue coats, Patti grabs the board from the top of the teller. The
clipboard containing mounds of folded papers striped horizontally with yellow highlighter
and tiny notes written all over it in pencil with led smudges surrounding the remarks,
dictates what time each front end personnel comes in, leaves and takes their break.
Patricia explains that running the board is the hardest part of the job. Immediately, she
takes charge and everybody does as she says, even despite the fact that there are

more assistant managers on other than her. What is it about Patti that makes every
single young person love and respect her so much?
Patricia Tibman stands at approximately 53. She is almost 50 years old and has
been married for 26 years of her life. When asked about her marriage, Patti says while
smiling and turning red, that they are very happy. Patti and her husband have two kids
together. She may come across as the perfect American family, but that is not true
whatsoever. Patti worked at company doing clerical work. Clerical workers work in
offices doing jobs such as answering phones, filing papers, scheduling appointments
and computer related documents (records, documents, photocopying, etc). In
September of 2014, Patti was told that she was going to be laid off. When asked why
she believes the company laid her off, Patti shifts uncomfortably in her seat and clarifies
that her company needed to save money and thought that her job did not have much
significance. Soon after the layoff, she found out Market Basket was hiring and she
needed a job so she applied. Patti admits to hating the stress of Market Basket but does
not regret working there as she has formed lots of memories with the people who work
with her.
One of Pattis favorite memories takes place last Mothers Day. She explains how
most of the young people who work there, refer to her as the mom of Market Basket or
Mama P for short. After the store had closed, a bunch of employees ran up to Patti,
showering her with gifts such as candy, flowers, bakery goods and her favorite, jelly
donuts.

She shared this picture with me and said it

captures the beautiful moment perfectly. Tearing up,
Patti expressed, I have never felt more loved than I
have in that moment. It made me feel like the exhaustion
of the job was worth it because in the end, I will always
have my kids. Patti goes on to explain how tiring and
time consuming being an assistant manager is, but
somehow she always finds time to participate in the
activities that she loves.

When not at work, Patti enjoys photography. She explains how she loves going
down to the beach to take photos. I just love the natural beauty. In the world today, so
many people are just focused on their phones, they dont look outside and realize how
truly beautiful it is she adds. In addition to photography, Patti enjoys going to concerts,
country concerts specifically. As she started going on about her meet and greet
experiences, Patti once again, began to tear up. These artists just mean so much to
me. Its exceptionally special once they begin to know who you are, I guess that just
means I go to their shows way too often she chuckles. Although, these recording artists
may know Patti by face, nobody truly knows her like her Market Basket kids know her.
One of these kids is Cassandra Cabral. Cassie used to work in the front end
alongside with Patti until she was moved to the customer service booth. When asked
about her experiences with Patti, Cassie recounts the time Patti met her at Capron Park
the night of her prom to take pictures. Cassie goes on to say, This proves that she is
not only a mother figure inside of work, but outside as well. Patti is one of the best

people in my life and Im so thankful that I met her. She was the first person who ever
really, truly cared about me. Cassandra uses these powerful words to describe Patti:
hardworking, outgoing and warm. Her welcoming personality and kind heart makes it
quite simple to take on the mother role.
Another one of Pattis kids is a cashier named, Jalixa Agudelo. Jalixa has
frequently worked with Patti for two years. She describes her as honest, kind, selfless,
wise and hardworking. When asked why she thinks everybody loves Patti, Jalixa
smilingly claims, She sets a great example. Shes almost like a mother figure and is a
special person who shows me guidance. Shes honestly my role model. Patti is like a
breath of heaven in a hell known as Market Basket. Jalixa clearly respects Patti just as
all of the young people who work with her at Market Basket do.
The young people who work at Market Basket speak incredibly highly of Patti.
They portray her as a role model and a second mom. Ive overheard many adults her
age talk about how they want their kids to trust them more and come to them with their
problems. Maybe, the key to developing this bond with your child is to treat them how
Patti treats her kids. Pattis warm personality and kind heart opens the opportunity for
the mother role to become existent. Patti takes on this role inside and outside of work as
well. Taking pictures at a prom is just one of the countless moments Patti has shared
with her young co-workers. Pattis charismatic attitude is the reason why everybody
loves her.